Hay-sling



(No Model.) 2Sheets-Sheet 1.

J LAW.

HAY SLING.

I Patented Dec. 6, 1887.

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' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2." J. LAW.

HAY SLING.

(No Model.)

No. 374,192. Patented Dec. 6, 1887 vmqk ' N. PETERS, PhMo-Lithaglnphcr. wamin mn, D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN LAW, OF MADELIA, MINNESOTA.

HAY-SLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 374,192, dated December 6, 1887.

Application filed April 13, 1887.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN LAW, of Madelia, in the county of \Vatonwau and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hay-Slings; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in hay-slings, the object being to provide an improved, novel, and simplified device whereby the hay may be elevated on a stack or stored in the barn in the most convenient manner and without liability of the hay being scattered or wasted during the operation.

To these ends myimprovements consist, essentially, of a cradle or frame arranged in two parts or sections and provided with mechanism for separating the two parts or sections to discharge the load.

It further consists of certain novel details of construction and general arrangement of parts, all as will be hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a top plan View of my complete device; Fig. 2, a side elevation thereof, and Figs. 3 and 4. detail views of the locking 1116011 anism.

Similar letters of reference occurring on the several figures indicate like parts.

In carrying outmy invention the frame of the hay-sling is formed in two parts or sections, A B, each being composed, essentially, of a bar of wood or metal having a number of wires or chains, a, secured at their one ends at suitable distances apart upon said bars, and theopposite ends of the wires being connected to a ring, 0, as fully shown in the drawings. The two parts or sections A B are arranged at a suitable distance apart from each other and connected by the chains D, the one ends of which are secured to the part B, while their opposite ends are adapted to engage with snap-hooks actuated by locking mechanism upon the opposite part or section, A. The snap-hooks are each preferably composed of a stationary j aw, b, secured upon the ends and other suitable Serial No. 234.579. (No model.)

points of the bar of the part or section A, and having pivoted thereto a movable curved jaw, c, the inner curved end of which is adapted to pass through one of the links of the chain and rest under the raised projecting end of the stationaryjaw, to hold the said chain in place until released by the trip of the locking mechanism. The outer ends of each of the pivoted jaws c are connected to the said trip of the locking mechanism by wires or chains d, as shown.

The locking mechanism is attached to the bracket E, projecting from the central part of the bar of the section A, and is composed of a staple-shaped frame, F, the legs of which pass through the bracket E and are held in place by suitable means. The ends of the wires d are formed with loops d, which have a free play upon and embrace the legs of the staple. Midway between the legs of the said staple-shaped frame, and projecting through the bracket E, is provided a spring-actuated dart or rod, G, having an arrow-shaped head, the point of which rests in a slot in the central part of the staple-shaped frame when the parts are in their normal position.

It will be seen by reference to the drawings that the jaws of the snap-hooks may be held in a closed position by passing the loops of the connecting wires or chains cl over the arrow-shaped head of the spring-actuated dart G, and said jaws may be thrown open by drawing upon the rope H, attached to the outer end of the dart G, which draws downward to release the loops of the connecting-wires from the arrow-shaped head.

In the operation of my invention in the harvest-field the frame is spread upon the ground, the sections being connected by the chains D, and the ring 0 at the end of the section B placed over the stake O, which is driven in the ground, while the ring 0 upon the opposite section, A, is caught in the hooks g of the lever K, the lower pivoted end, h, of which is also driven in the ground. Now, by depressing taut upon the ground, and the hay may be drawn in upon the same by a horse hay-rake or other suitable means until the desired load is upon the frame. The handle of the lever K is now raised, and the rings 0 of the sections, being released from the stakes, are atthe handle of the lever K the frame is stretched IOO tached to the hook of a hoisting rope to elevate the hay to a stack or upon a wagon. \Vhen in the desired position for unloading, the rope H is drawn to operate the trip of the locking mechanism, which throws open the jaws of the snap-hooks to release the ends of the chains D to cause the sections to separate to drop the load.

The frame is equally adapted to be used IO upon a wagon to transport bay to the barn, and in either case serves to keep the hay in a compact bale until deposited in the desired place, obviating all waste or scattering of the hay during the operation of loading or stack lng. V. I L

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- v 1. In a haysling formed of two parts or seetions, the section A, having wires a and ring with the spring-actuated dart Gr connecting- G, and provided with snap=hooks 0 b, adapted to be operated by the trip mechanism secured to the bracket E, in combination with the section B, provided with chains D, Wires a, and ring 0, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

2. In a hay-sling, the trip mechanism composed of the staple-shaped frame F, secured to the bracket on the section A, and provided wires 01, links (1, and cord H, in combination with the movable jaws c of the snap-hooks, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presence of two 5 witnesses.

JOHN LAW.

WVitnesscs:

A. M. RUTAN, W. H. SHAVER. 

